If Jim Mero has truly done a 2:50 - 2:51 at VIR

If Jim Mero really has lapped the VIR at 2:50 -2:51 or even 2:52 look where that puts the C7 on the Lightning Lap List. Add a couple seconds per lap for the Car and Driver test drivers and this C7 is still a rocketship.http://www.caranddriver.com/features...o-2013-page-10
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Jim Mero's ZR1 time at VIR (2:45) was ~5 sec faster than the C&D lightning lap time so I would take than into account when comparing his lap times to the C&D lap times. You can see a similar difference in time with the factory Camaro ZL1 time; 2:52 for Chevy (Arron Link) vs 2:57 for C&D.

Jim Mero's ZR1 time at VIR (2:45) was ~5 sec faster than the C&D lightning lap time so I would take than into account when comparing his lap times to the C&D lap times.

Yes certainly, but listening to the video it sure sounded like the track was real dirty and not rubbered in like it would have been during the 2 day Car and Driver test. I always wondered why the second ZR1 time was not proportionally faster than the first time since the Ring times were significantly different.

I always wondered why the second ZR1 time was not proportionally faster than the first time since the Ring times were significantly different.

Part of the time lost is on the final straight. If you watch the 7:26 run, Mero shifts while he is ascending the uphill portion of the straight. He hovers at the same rpm for several seconds, and even loses about 3 mph right after the shift. A strong headwind was cited as a factor. In the 7:19 video, he completes his shift well before the gradient even begins and he gains speed all the way throughout the straight.

I always wondered why the second ZR1 time was not proportionally faster than the first time since the Ring times were significantly different.

Track conditions. When C&D tested the ZR1 w/ Cup tires they had rain for most of the days they were at the track for the Lightning Lap. They only got to do only a limited amount of dry laps. You can look at the split times and speeds from the test of the '12 vs '10 and you can see that the '10 had faster straigth away speeds than the '12. This means driver or conditions difference. That being said I still think Mero runs 2-3 sec a lap faster than the best C&D is going to get.

Track conditions. When C&D tested the ZR1 w/ Cup tires they had rain for most of the days they were at the track for the Lightning Lap. They only got to do only a limited amount of dry laps. You can look at the split times and speeds from the test of the '12 vs '10 and you can see that the '10 had faster straigth away speeds than the '12. This means driver or conditions difference. That being said I still think Mero runs 2-3 sec a lap faster than the best C&D is going to get.

So if you add 2-3 seconds to a 2:51, it will still be in the 2:53-2:55 range with the Car and Driver test drivers. An amazing time regardless. Looking at the list there are some pretty amazing cars at those times.

Part of the time lost is on the final straight. If you watch the 7:26 run, Mero shifts while he is ascending the uphill portion of the straight. He hovers at the same rpm for several seconds, and even loses about 3 mph right after the shift. A strong headwind was cited as a factor. In the 7:19 video, he completes his shift well before the gradient even begins and he gains speed all the way throughout the straight.

Guibo, I was actually referring to the VIR time differential by the C&D guys.